The Board of Directors and staff of the Women’s Civic Improvement Club (WCIC) are proud to announce its 75th anniversary celebration. This historic occasion will be celebrated August 1-6, 2011 with a week of fun and educational activities for all ages. There will be art work displays, children’s literacy day, poetry/spoke word and a 1930’s theme house party. The celebration will conclude with a gala banquet honoring the founding members. All events will be held at the WCIC facility 3555 3rd Ave., Sacramento, CA and are free except for a nominal fee for the Gala Banquet.

WCIC was organized in 1936 as the Negro Women’s Civic Improvement Club for the primary purpose of providing housing for young Negro women that had migrated to Sacramento for employment at McClellan Air Force base and other defense operations. Because of racial segregation it was impossible to find a decent and safe place to live, even the YWCA was not an option. Grace Douglas’ book The Griot tells the history of WCIC. The book tells of 3 existing Negro ladies arts and social groups, active in Sacramento before 1936, merging their efforts to form and fund the Negro Women Civic and Improvement to meet this critical housing need. In 1945, the nine members Board of Directors signed the incorporation papers. In keeping with the times, the name was later changed to the Women’s Civic Improvement Club.

In spite of the financial devastation of the depression era; the State of California forcing WCIC to move for a freeway to be built at the 16th and X street housing facility; and a variety of challenges over the years, the organization has managed to remain vibrant and functional. The dedication of the Founding Mothers of WCIC has been an inspiration to both Club members and the community. It is in the tradition of the Founding Mothers that WCIC continues to provide services to the community as reflected in the organization’s theme: We’re Caring Involved and Committed.

Celebration Calendar of events:

• Monday-August 1 to Wednesday, August 3: Art Exhibit--hosted by The Brick House Art Gallery
• Tuesday-August 2, 1-3 PM: Children’s Literacy & Storytelling Celebration
• Wednesday-August 3, 6-8 PM: Poetry & Spoken Word Celebration
• Thursday-August 4, 5-8 PM: Health, Wellness, and Cease Fire Symposium and a • Special Artist Reception… 6-8 PM.
• Friday-August 5, 6-9 PM: House Party--1930’s style, theme, décor and clothing attire.
• Saturday-August 6, 5:30-10:00 PM: Gala Banquet Celebration a special tribute to the founding mothers. Donation: $25.00 per person.
We invite everyone to come out and celebrate this historic occasion.

Please contact Ms. Davis, WCIC Executive Director, at (916) 451-8870 or Faye Kennedy (916) 484-5025  for more information.